Work piece having electrical current pathways

ABSTRACT

A method for plating a work piece. An electroless layer of material is applied to the work piece using an electroless plating process. The method includes creating a barrier in electrical conductivity in the work piece to divide the work piece into a first segment and a second segment which are substantially electrically insulated from one another, prior to electroplating the work piece. A plurality of methods are disclosed for dividing the work piece into the first and second segments.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to improved aesthetics for workpieces, including by a method of electroplating. More specifically, thepresent disclosure relates to a method for creating multiple electricalcurrent pathways on a work piece to allow for the presence of multipleseparate finishes on a single plastic work piece.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Plated decorative chrome finishes have long been available for variousproducts in the automotive, appliance, consumer electronics, andhousehold application industries. Variations in the deposition methods,processing conditions, and solution makeup of the various types ofmetals have subsequently resulted in aesthetic variations in the finalproduct. These variations in processing, chemical, and depositiontechniques are able to generate different color metal finishes, lowergloss levels, and less distinction of image (DOI) in the metal finish ofwork pieces all with an eye to improving aesthetics. Examples of thesefinishes include but are not limited to Bright Chrome, Black Nickel,Black Chrome, and the like. Another exemplary finish that has beenemployed is Satin Chrome, which involves varying the reflectivity of theunderlying metal layer such as by creating more pits in the substratesurface. Varying the degree of reflectivity allows for many differenttypes of metal finishes. Often, these variations are combined with abright chromium finish in assemblies to 1) complement each other and 2)bring more aesthetic appeal to the final product.

A known method of finishing work pieces to provide a final product thathas multiple distinct surface finishes includes utilizing work pieceassemblies that are made up of multiple components, each having adifferent metal finish and which are assembled to form the finalproduct. This practice, while effective, results in multiple operationsand multiple sets of tooling which adds significant cost to the finalproduct.

Another known method of finishing work pieces to provide a final productthat has multiple distinct surface finishes includes applying bright andsatin-like finishing to the surface of the work piece with masking andpre or post surface treatments using abrasive grains such as ironpowder, glass powder, silicon oxide, alumina and the like. Molded intexture or surface effects have also been employed to create variationin the metal finish of the work piece by selectively incorporating thetexture or surface finish into a portion of the work piece prior toapplication of a metal finish. However, when such work pieces, whichinclude one section employing these surface effects and another partwithout these effects, are both subjected to electroplating, theleveling characteristic of the electroplated layer on these two sectionsdoes not create the visual effect of two distinct metal surface finishesas desired. Also, the pre and post surface treatments are costly andrequire an additional operation.

Vacuum metallization and chemical vapor deposition techniques are ableto achieve a final product that has segments with different finishes,but are very costly and limited from a performance standpoint in manyenvironments because of the thin layer of metal that results from thesetechniques. Additionally, physical vapor deposition coatings mustinclude an organic coating thereover to protect the deposited metallayer. This additional step increases labor costs and creates an “orangepeel” look due to the fact that the organic coating is not completelysmooth.

Another method of creating two distinct surface effects on a work pieceincludes masking and painting using tinted basecoats and clear coats.Although this method creates the desired effect, it disadvantageouslyrequires an additional painting operation which adds cost to the finalproduct.

In view of the above, there remains a need for improved methods oftreating work pieces that provide for a final product that includes morethan one surface finish on a single work piece. More specifically, thereremains a need for a method which offers more degrees of flexibility todesigners and manufacturers with regards to its aesthetic effects whilereducing the overall part and manufacturing costs by eliminatingsecondary operations.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A method for plating a plastic work piece using a power source having apositive terminal and a negative terminal is provided. The methodincludes applying an electroless layer of material to the work pieceusing an electroless plating process. The positive terminal of the powersource may be connected to a first anode and the negative terminal ofthe power source may be connected to the work piece. The work piece canthen be immersed in a first aqueous solution that contains the firstanode. The first anode may then be positively charged and the work piecemay be negatively charged to cause metal ions in the first aqueoussolution to be passed onto the electroless layer of the work piece.

The method can further include creating at least one barrier inelectrical conductivity in the work piece prior to the step of immersingthe work piece in a first aqueous solution to divide the work piece intoat least a first segment and a second segment which are substantiallyelectrically insulated from one another.

The negative terminal of the power source can also be connected to thesecond segment of the work piece. The method may also include immersingthe work piece in a second aqueous solution that contains a secondanode. Once the work piece is immersed in the second aqueous solution,the second anode can be positively charged and a second negative chargemay be applied to the second segment of the work piece to cause metalions from the second aqueous solution to be passed onto the electrolesslayer of only the second section of the work piece to form a secondelectroplated layer on the second segment of the work piece.

It is therefore an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a methodfor plating a work piece with multiple surface finishes. The methodeliminates the need for costly secondary operations to finish the workpiece since creating the barrier in electrical conductivity andrespectively electroplating the first and second segments of the workpiece may be done in an inexpensive and simple process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated, asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is flow diagram of a method of plating a work piece in accordancewith an aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a work piece having a barrierformed thereon in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a work piece having a barrierformed thereon in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a work piece having a barrierformed thereon in accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a power source, a first aqueoussolution, a first anode and a work piece in accordance with an aspect ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a power source, a secondaqueous solution, a second anode and a work piece in accordance with anaspect of the disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a plating tool for use in platinga work piece in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, a method is generally shown forplating a work piece 100 using a power source 102 (e.g., a battery)having a positive terminal 104 and a negative terminal 106. It will beappreciated that a variety of suitable power sources may be employed.

According to an aspect, as exemplarily shown in FIGS. 1-4, the methodincludes creating a barrier 114 to electrical conductivity in a basesubstrate layer 110 of the work piece 100. Thereafter, an electrolesslayer of material 108 can be applied to the base substrate layer 110 ofthe work piece 100 using an electroless plating process, as generallyindicated by reference number 10. As known in the art, the electrolessplating process generally includes an autocatalytic chemical reactionwhich causes a metal to be deposited on the base substrate layer 110 ofthe work piece 100 such that the substrate layer 110 will be conductive.According to an aspect, the electroless layer of material 108 can act asa base layer that has good adherence to both the substrate layer 110 ofthe work piece 100 as well as to a subsequently plated electroplatedlayer 124, 132, as described illustratively below. Therefore, once theelectroless layer of material 108 is adhered to the base substrate layer110 of the work piece 100, the work piece 100 may be well-suited forreceiving subsequent electroplated layers thereon. It should beappreciated that suitable metals for plating (both electroless platingand electroplating) according to the subject method may include, but arenot limited to, copper, nickel, zinc, palladium, gold, cobalt, chromium(i.e., chrome), and alloys thereof. Furthermore, the material of thesubstrate layer 110 of the work piece 100 in accordance with an aspectmay be plastic, but other suitable materials for both the metal layersand the substrate could be used without departing from the scope of thesubject disclosure. According to another aspect, a non-conductive basesubstrate layer 110, such as a non-conductive plastic, may be renderedconductive in a variety of other suitable ways. For example, the workpiece 100 may include or be formed of a conductive plastic. According toa further aspect, a conductive paint may be applied over the basesubstrate layer 110 such that the part is suitable for receivingsubsequent electroplated layers thereon.

According to an aspect, the method can also include creating a barrier114, 214, 314 in electrical conductivity in the work piece 100 to dividethe work piece 100 into a first segment 116 and a second segment 118,with the first and second segments 116, 118 substantially electricallyinsulated from one another, as generally indicated by reference number12. As a result, a current may flow through each respective first andsecond segment 116, 118 without flowing through the other.

According to an aspect and as exemplarily shown in FIG. 2, a barrier 114in electrical conductivity in the work piece 100 may be created, formedor disposed on the base substrate layer 110 prior to application of theelectroless layer of material 108 to the work piece 100. According to anaspect, the step of creating a barrier 114 in the work piece 100 mayinclude applying a plating resistant coating on the work piece to definethe barrier 114 so as to substantially prevent the subsequent depositionof the electroless layer of material 108 on the barrier 114. The platingresist coating 114 may include a non-plateable plastic resin that may beapplied to the surface. The plating resist coating may be a polyvinylchloride material, a polycarbonate material or the like that is appliedto the substrate, such as by painting. It will be appreciated that thismaterial should substantially prevent the electroless layer of material108 from being formed on areas of the base substrate layer 110 that areinsulated from the area to which current is applied. It will also beappreciated that a variety of other suitable materials which resistplating may be employed. Such a material may vary depending on what kindof metal is being applied thereon by way of the electroless platingprocess. It should be appreciated that since the area of the barrier 114is unable to receive the electroless layer of material 108, after theelectroless layer of material 108 is applied on the remaining portionsof the work piece 100, the first and second segments 116, 118 of thework piece 100 may each be configured as respective electrical circuitsthat are isolated from the other. As shown in FIG. 2, according to anaspect, the barrier 114 may be formed on both a front surface 140 and aback surface 142 of the work piece 100 to ensure that they areelectrically isolated from one another so long as current between thesections is isolated. While the barrier 114′ is illustrated as disposedopposite the barrier 114, it will be appreciated that they can beoffset.

According to another aspect as exemplarily shown in FIG. 3, a barrier214 in electrical conductivity in the work piece 100 may be created,formed or disposed on the base substrate layer 110 prior to applicationof an electroless layer of material 108 to the work piece 100. Accordingto a further aspect, the step of creating a barrier 214 in the workpiece 100 may include molding a non-plateable material 214 into or ontothe work piece 100 to define the barrier 214 so as to substantiallyprevent the deposition of the electroless layer of material 108 on thebarrier 214. Like the plating resistant coating 114, the non-plateablematerial 214 may include a non-plateable plastic resin including, butnot limited to, a polyvinyl chloride material, a polycarbonate materialor the like. Again, this material should substantially prevent theelectroless layer of metal from being formed thereon. According to thisaspect, the molding process for creating this layer may include amulti-shot injection molding process, a transfer molding process, anover-molding process or the like. It will be appreciated that a varietyof other suitable molding processes may be employed. Again, it should beappreciated that since the area of the barrier 214 is unable to receivethe electroless layer of material 108, after the electroless layer ofmaterial 108 is applied on the remaining portions of the work piece 100,the first and second segments 116, 118 of the work piece 100 may eachfunction as respective electrical circuits that are isolated from oneanother. As shown in FIG. 3, according to an aspect, the barrier 214 maybe formed on both a front surface 140 and a back surface 142 of the workpiece 100 to ensure that they are electrically isolated from oneanother. While the barrier 214′ is illustrated as disposed opposite thebarrier 214, it will be appreciated that they can be offset so long ascurrent between the sections is isolated. Additionally, as shown, thebarrier 214′ may be larger in size and take up more of the back side 142surface.

According to a further aspect as exemplarily shown in FIG. 4, the stepof creating a barrier 314 in electrical conductivity in the work piece100 can alternately occur after the electroless layer of material 108has been applied, and may include removing a portion of the electrolesslayer of material 108 to define the barrier 314 in electricalconductivity. When the electroless layer of material 108 is removed tocreate the barrier 314 subsequent electroplated layers will not depositdue to the non-conducting surface under the electroless layer, makingthe first and second segments 114, 116 of the work piece 100 function asrespective, isolated, electrical circuits. The barrier segment of theelectroless layer of material 108 may be removed by a mechanicalmechanism, chemical dissolution or the like. It will be appreciated thata variety of other suitable removing process may be employed. As shownin FIG. 4, according to an aspect, the barrier 314 may be formed on botha front surface 140 and a back surface 142 of the work piece 100 toensure that they are electrically isolated from one another. While thebarrier 314′ is illustrated as disposed opposite the barrier 314, itwill be appreciated that they can be offset so long as current betweenthe sections isolated.

It should be appreciated that any combination of the aforementionedmethods may be used to create the barrier 314 in electricalconductivity. According to an aspect, the barrier 314 on the frontsurface can be formed utilizing one method and the barrier 314′ on theback surface can be formed utilizing another method. For example, thebarrier 314 on the front surface can be formed via an injection moldingmethod utilizing a material that is resistant to plating and the barrier314′ on the back surface can be formed utilizing a spray resist coating.It will be appreciated that a variety of other suitable ways may beemployed to create barriers to electrical conductivity.

According to an aspect, as shown FIGS. 1 and 5, the method may proceedwith the step of connecting the positive terminal 104 of the powersource 102 to a first anode 120, as generally indicated by referencenumber 14. The first anode 120 may be made of a metal material and maybe placed in a first aqueous solution 122 with current being applied tothe first anode 120. The first anode 120 may be soluble, where thematerial will dissolve into a first aqueous solution 122 as current ispassed through it or insoluble, where the anode material will notdissolve into the solution as current is applied therethrough. It willbe appreciated that the first anode 120 could be constructed of a metalmaterial, which may include, but is not limited to, copper, nickel,zinc, palladium, gold, cobalt, chromium (i.e., chrome), and alloysthereof. According to an aspect, the metal material from the first anode120 may be used directly for plating purposes on the work piece 100.Alternatively, the plating to the work piece 100 can occur from themetal ions available in the first aqueous solution 122, as will beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The first anode 120 maybe in the form of a solid mass of material that is insoluble or soluble,while the plating solution is composed of a plurality of metal saltsnecessary to achieve the desired plated layer.

According to aspect, the method proceeds with connecting the negativeterminal 106 of the power source 102 to a first point of contact 123 onthe first segment 116 of the work piece 100, as generally indicated byreference number 16. The work piece 100 may then be immersed in thefirst aqueous plating solution 122 which may contain metal salts and thefirst anode 120, as generally indicated by reference number 20. Afterthe work piece 100 has been immersed in the first aqueous solution 122,the method can proceed with 20 positively charging the first anode 120and negatively charging the first segment 116 of the work piece 100 tocause the metal ions in the first aqueous solution 122, to be reduced totheir metallic state at the solution interface of the first segment 116.A layer of metal may then form on the first segment 116 because it isthe only location on the work piece 100 that has a supply of electronsto reduce the metal salts to their respective metal state (i.e.,Cu²⁺+2e→Cu⁰). Because there is no supply of electrons on the secondsegment 118 (since it is electrically isolated), metal ions in the firstaqueous solution 122 cannot be reduced to their metallic state.

According to another aspect, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the method canthen continue with the step of removing the work piece 100 from thefirst aqueous solution 122 and connecting the positive terminal 104 ofthe power source 102 to a second anode 126, as generally indicated byreference number 22. Similar to the first anode 120, the second anode126 may be made of a metal material Also, like the first anode 120, themetal material from which the second anode 126 can be comprised mayinclude, but is not limited to, nickel, zinc, palladium, gold, cobalt,chromium (i.e., chrome), and alloys thereof. It will be appreciated thata variety of other suitable materials may also be employed. According toan aspect, the second anode 126 may be of a different metal than themetal of the first anode 120. Also like the first anode 120, the secondanode 126 may be in the form of a solid mass of material that isinsoluble or soluble, while the plating solution is composed of aplurality of metal salts necessary to achieve the desired plated layer128. It will be appreciated that different metal finishes can also beachieved utilizing the same anodes such as for example with a BrightChrome part and a Satin Chrome part.

According to a further aspect, the method can then proceed withconnecting the negative terminal 106 of the power source 102 to a secondpoint of contact 130 on the second segment 118 of the work piece 100, asgenerally indicated by reference number 24. The work piece 100 may thenbe immersed in the second aqueous solution 128 which contains the secondanode 126, as generally indicated by reference number 25. After the workpiece 100 has been immersed in the second aqueous solution 128, themethod can continue with positively charging the second anode 126 andnegatively charging the second segment 118 of the work piece 100 tocause metal ions from the second plating solution 126 to be passed ontothe electroless layer 108 on the second segment 118 of the work piece100 to form a second electroplated layer 132 on the second segment 118,as generally indicated by reference number 26. It should be appreciatedthat a metal layer only forms on the second segment 118 of the workpiece 100 because the first and second segments 116, 118 areelectrically insulated from one another by the barrier 114, 214, 314.

As a result of the aforementioned steps, after the second electroplatedlayer 132 of metal has been formed on the second segment 118 of the workpiece 100, the first and second segments 116, 118 have differentmetallic finishes. It should further be appreciated that additionalbarriers 114, 214, 314 in conductivity could be made on the work piece100 to provide additional segments that are electrically insulated fromone another. Such additional segments could be electroplated inaccordance with the aforementioned steps to provide for more than twosegments of the work piece 100 that have different metallic finishes.

According to a still further aspect, to improve adherence of the firstand second electroplated layers 124, 132 to the work piece 100 and toimprove the structural properties of the work piece 100, an intermediateelectrolytic layer of copper from an acid copper plating solution may beapplied to both the first and second segments 116, 118 after theelectroless layer of material 108 is applied to the work piece 100, andprior to electroplating the first and second electroplated layers 124,132 as described above. Applying this intermediate layer can build themetal thickness to a level that is sufficient to carry the current forelectroplating of subsequent metal layers. After the intermediate copperlayer has been electrodeposited to a sufficient thickness, anintermediate layer of sulfur-free nickel may be electroplated onto thecopper surface to protect the copper from corrosion on all electricalpathways on the part. After the deposition of the intermediate layer ofsulfur-free nickel is electroplated on the work piece, there can be asignificant amount of metal to carry current, and the copper layer isprotected. Therefore, the work piece 100 can be immersed in any suitableplating solution and electroplated as described above to provide thefirst and second electroplated layers 124, 132 to achieve the desiredfinishing effect. It should be appreciated that the method couldalternatively proceed without these steps and other materials could beused in these steps in place of those described. It will additionally beappreciated that intermediate layers consisting of different materialscould be applied to the first and second segments 116, 118 to providedifferent appearances for the work piece 100.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, after a barrier114, 214, 314 is created as described above to electrically isolatemultiple sections of a work piece 100, an electrophoretic coating may beselectively deposited on at least one of the sections of the work piece100 in order to create different aesthetic affects. It will beappreciated that the deposition of the electrophoretic coating may occurin connection with the deposition of one or more different metal layersas discussed above. It will be appreciated that differentelectrophoretic coatings may be selectively deposited in the samefashion discussed above such that one electrophoretic coating may beapplied to one section of a part without it being applied to anothersection of the part.

According to a still further aspect of the present disclosure, as thebarriers can be formed on both the front side 140 and the back side 142of the work piece 100, metal layers are not deposited thereon, asdiscussed above. As shown in the Figures, a light source 150, 250, 350may be disposed behind the work piece 100 and positioned to emit lightinto the barriers to provide a backlighting effect, as shown, to enhanceaesthetics. It will be appreciated that the use of a transparent ortranslucent material at the barrier can assist with this effect,although non-translucent or non-transparent materials may also beemployed. Alternatively, the work piece 100 may be formed of resins ofdifferent colors to provide additional aesthetic affects.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plating tool 400 in accordance with an aspect ofthe disclosure. As shown, the tool 400 can include a plating rack 402with a plurality of rack tabs 404, which are configured to holdindividual work pieces that are to be subjected to a plating process.According to an aspect, the plating tool 400 can include multiplecurrent pathways, which may be referred to as a first circuit 406 and asecond circuit 408. Each of the first circuit 406 and the second circuit408 can be selectively actuated such that each of the circuits can beactive at separate times as desired. According to another aspect, thefirst circuit 406 can be configured such that it is in communicationwith a first segment 116 of the work pieces 100 located on the rack tabs404 of the plating rack 402 such that current is applied thereto toeffectuate plating a metal layer onto the first segment 116. This allowsfor first segments of multiple work pieces to be subjected to a platingprocess simultaneously. According to a further aspect, the secondcircuit 408 can be configured such that it is in communication with asecond segment 118 of the work pieces 100 located on the rack tabs 404of the plating rack 402 such that current is applied thereto toeffectuate plating of a separate metal layer onto the second segment118. This allows for second segments of multiple work pieces to besubjected to a plating process simultaneously. It will be appreciated tomore than two circuits can be integrated into the plating rack 402 toaccommodate plating multiple different metal layers onto a surface ofthe work piece 100.

According to an aspect, the first circuit 406 can include a first powersource 410, a first cathode 412 and a first connector bushing 414. Thefirst power source 410 can provide power to the first cathode 412 tocharge at least a portion of one or more work pieces. The first powersource 410 may be in communication with the first cathode 412 via thefirst connector bushing 414. According to a further aspect, the firstcathode 412 may be integrated into the plating rack 402. According to astill further aspect, the second circuit 408 can include a second powersource 416, a second cathode 418, and a second connector bushing 420.The second power source 416 can provide power to the second cathode 418to charge at least a portion of one or more work pieces. The secondpower source 416 may be in communication with the second cathode 418 viathe second connector bushing 420. The second cathode 418 may also beintegrated into the plating rack 402.

According to an aspect, each of the circuits 406, 408 may beelectrically insulated from each other. Additionally, each of thecircuits 406, 408 can connect to separate power sources such that eachof the circuits can be activated individually or simultaneously asdesired. The use of separate circuits allows for the plating ofdifferent metals on a single work piece. According to a further aspect,the plating rack 402 may be coated with a plate resistant coating toprevent rack plate-up as well as rack damage. The plate resistantcoating may be Platisol, however, a variety of other suitable coatingsmay be employed.

It will also be appreciated that an auxiliary anode may also beincorporated into the tooling to assist in the deposition of metal inareas where the electrical current density is limited, such as recessedareas.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present disclosureare possible in light of the above teachings and may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of theappended claims. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted tocover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises itsutility. The use of the word “said” in the apparatus claims refers to anantecedent that is a positive recitation meant to be included in thecoverage of the claims whereas the word “the” precedes a word not meantto be included in the coverage of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative work piece, comprising: a plasticsubstrate having a front surface and a back surface; a first barrier toelectrical conductivity located on at least the front surface to dividethe front surface into a first segment and a second segment; a firstdecorative layer being disposed on the first segment; a seconddecorative layer being disposed on the second segment; wherein the firstdecorative layer is different than the second decorative layer such thatthe first segment has a different appearance than the second segment. 2.The work piece of claim 1, wherein the first decorative layer isselected from at least one of the following: copper, nickel, zinc,palladium, gold, cobalt, or chromium.
 3. The work piece of claim 2,wherein the second decorative layer is selected from at least one of thefollowing: copper, nickel, zinc, palladium, gold, cobalt, or chromium.4. The work piece of claim 1, wherein one of the first decorative layeror the second decorative layer is formed of an electrophoretic coating.5. The work piece of claim 1, wherein the plastic substrate is formed ofa conductive material.
 6. The work piece of claim 1, wherein the firstbarrier consists of a non-plateable material disposed on front surface.7. The work piece of claim 6, wherein the non-plateable material is anintegral aspect of said outer surface that is formed by one of thefollowing: a multi-shot injection molding process, a transfer moldingprocess, or an over-molding process.
 8. The work piece of claim 6,wherein the first barrier consists of a plating resist coating appliedto the front surface.
 9. The work piece of claim 1, further comprising:a second barrier formed in a back surface of the plastic substrate. 10.The work piece of claim 9, wherein the first barrier and the secondbarrier reside in substantially the same plane.
 11. The work piece ofclaim 9, wherein the first barrier and the second barrier are formed bydifferent processes.
 12. The work piece of claim 1, wherein at least thefirst barrier is formed of a colored material to provide a differentvisual effect.
 13. The work piece of claim 1, wherein at least the firstbarrier is formed of a translucent or transparent material to allow forthe passage of light therethrough.
 14. The work piece of claim 3,further comprising: an intermediate layer disposed beneath at least oneof the first decorative layer or the second decorative layer.
 15. Thework piece of claim 14, wherein the intermediate layer is formed of anacid copper material.
 16. The work piece of claim 1, further comprising:a plurality of barriers formed in the front surface to form multiplesegments.
 17. A decorative work piece, comprising: a plastic substratehaving a front surface and a back surface; a barrier to electricalconductivity located on the front surface, which divides the frontsurface into a first segment and a second segment; a base metal layerdisposed on the first segment and the second segment, the barrier beingsubstantially free of the base metal layer; a first decorative surfacebeing disposed on the first portion; a second decorative surface beingdisposed on the second portion; wherein the first decorative surface isdifferent than the second decorative surface.
 18. The work piece ofclaim 17, wherein the first decorative layer is selected from at leastone of the following: nickel, zinc, palladium, gold, cobalt, orchromium.
 19. The work piece of claim 18, wherein the second decorativesurface is selected from at least one of the following: nickel, zinc,palladium, gold, cobalt, or chromium.
 20. The work piece of claim 17,wherein at least one of the first decorative layer or the seconddecorative layer is formed of an electrophoretic coating.
 21. The workpiece of claim 17, wherein the first barrier consists of a non-plateablematerial disposed on front surface.
 22. The work piece of claim 21,wherein the non-plateable material is an integral aspect of said outersurface that is formed by one of the following: a multi-shot injectionmolding process, a transfer molding process, or an over-molding process.23. The work piece of claim 21, wherein the first barrier consists of aplating resist coating applied to the front surface.
 24. The work pieceof claim 17, further comprising: a second barrier formed in a backsurface of the plastic substrate.
 25. The work piece of claim 24,wherein the first barrier and the second barrier reside in substantiallythe same plane.
 26. The work piece of claim 24, wherein the firstbarrier and the second barrier are formed by different processes. 27.The work piece of claim 17, wherein at least the first barrier is formedof a colored material to provide a different visual effect.
 28. The workpiece of claim 17, wherein at least the first barrier is formed of atranslucent or transparent material to allow for the passage of lighttherethrough.
 29. The work piece of claim 19, further comprising: anintermediate layer disposed beneath at least one of the first decorativelayer or the second decorative layer.
 30. The work piece of claim 29,wherein the intermediate layer is formed of an acid copper material. 31.The work piece of claim 17, further comprising: a plurality of barriersformed in the front surface to form multiple segments.
 32. An article,comprising: a plastic substrate having a front surface and a rearsurface; a first barrier to electrical conductivity disposed on thefront surface of the plastic substrate to segregate the front surfaceinto a first front surface segment and a second front surface segment,the first barrier being formed by a first process; a first decorativelayer being disposed on the first front surface segment; a seconddecorative layer being disposed on the second front surface segment; asecond barrier to electrical conductivity disposed on the rear surfaceof the plastic substrate to segregate the rear surface into a first rearsurface segment and a second rear surface segment; wherein the firstdecorative layer and the second decorative layer are different.
 33. Thearticle of claim 32, wherein the first decorative layer is selected fromat least one of the following: copper, nickel, zinc, palladium, gold,cobalt, or chromium.
 34. The article of claim 33, wherein the seconddecorative layer is selected from at least one of the following: copper,nickel, zinc, palladium, gold, cobalt, or chromium.
 35. The article ofclaim 32, wherein one of the first decorative layer or the seconddecorative layer is formed of an electrophoretic coating.
 36. Thearticle of claim 32, wherein the plastic substrate is formed of aconductive material.
 37. The article of claim 32, wherein the firstbarrier and the second barrier consists of one of the following: anon-plateable material disposed on front surface, a plating resistcoating applied to the front surface or a break in an underlying metallayer disposed on the plastic substrate.
 38. The article of claim 37,wherein the first barrier and the second barrier are not the same. 39.The article of claim 32, wherein at least the first barrier is formed ofa colored material to provide a different visual effect.
 40. The workpiece of claim 32, wherein at least the first barrier is formed of atranslucent or transparent material to allow for the passage of lighttherethrough.
 41. The work piece of claim 32, further comprising: aplurality of barriers formed in the front surface to form multiplesegments.